Automatic changeover regulator and indicator device



Nov. 22, 1949 A. OLSON 2,488,779

AUTOMATIC CHANGEOVER REGULATOR AND INDICATOR DEVICE v Filed Dec. 2'7, 1943 2 Sheeis-Sheet l.

INVENTOR ATT RNE 's Nov. 22, 1949 A. R. OLSON AUTOMATIC CHANGEOVER REGULATQRQXND INDICATOR DEVICE Filed Dec. 27, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.3

FIG. 2

FIGAZL FIG. 5

INVENTOR FIG. 6

R. OLSO ATTORNEYS? a new full tank.

Patented Nov. 22, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT, ornci: A

AUTOMATIC CHANGEOVEB BEGULATO AND INDICATOR DEVICE Andrew R. Olson, minimum, on, igm a Phillips Petroleum Company. a corporation of Delaware Application December, 21. 194:, Serial No. 515,794

12 Claims. (01. 50-43) 1 This application relates to changeover devices and to pressure regulators useful in dispensing 'fluids' under pressure and it has particular relation to such devices employed in supplyin gas to domestic and commercial burners and appliances located on the property of the ultimate consumer of liquefied gas.

. The use of liquefied gas for fuel has become quite common. In devising means for dispensing this gas to the stoves or burners consuming it, there are certain problems created by the economic condition and mechanical intelligence 'of the consumer. The consumer generally has two small tanks of liquefied gas and uses one of these tanks as a supply holding the other tank in reserve. When the first tank becomes exhausted it is desirable to immediately the numerous burners and pilot lights throughout the installation to go out. The second tank being placed on supply, preferably automatically, the now empty first tank is removed at leisure when the consumer has a chance to go to the market and exchange the empty tank for The closer the operation followed in the above paragraph can be duplicated automatically by the apparatus, the less likelihood of complaint on the part of the consumer. Because of the lack-of mechanical skill of a few of the consumers, it is necessary that any manual control necessary be as obvious in its operation as possible and as fool-proof as possible and that there be a clear. indication at all times as to which of the fuel tanks is in service and which on reserve as well as an indication of when both tanks are being drawn from or when more than one tank is being drawn from if there are more than two tanks.

One object of this invention therefore is to provide a simple, fool-proof automatic changeover regulator and indicator having automatic changeover features and manual selection of the gas cylinder to be preferentially used as the supply and clear and obvious indications of the state of the system.

Another object is to provide first stage regulation,' automatic changeover, and indication means which functions with a minimum variation in pressure of the gas supplied thereby when the device is operating on the supply or on the reserve cylinder.

Another object is to provide such a control place the second tank in use without allowing I 2 the device to afford protection from the weather.

Other objects are to provide novel means of biasing the device so that one valve will open before another, to provide a novel connection between the operating knob and the biasing cam and to provide novel means of indicating the position of the biasing cam.

Another object is to provide an automatic changeover dispensing regulator for connecting a plurality of liquefied gas containers automatically in a selected order and adapted to supply gas at a predetermined constant pressure to at least one dispensing conduit.

Another object is to provide a suitable assembly of apparatus to provide safety and simplicity and certainty of operation in such a regulator.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following specification and claims and looking at the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of an automatic changeover regulator and indicator dispensing employing relatively few parts and constructing 55 system embodying my invention.

a Figure 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the body of the changeover device of Figure 1 with the lower portion shown in cross-section.

Figure 3 is an elevational view taken at right angles to Figure 2 of the same apparatus shown in Figure 2 with the lower part shown in eleva tion and the upper portion shown in cross-section.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the top of the hand adjustment knob shown in each of the precedin figures.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional elevation taken along the line H of Figure 4 in the direction indicated by the arrow heads.

Figure 6 is a bottom view of the knob shown in Figures 4 and 5.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the cam faced piston which is shown in cross-section in Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cam faced piston of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view through a modified form of the friction plate employed in Figure 2.

In Figure 1 the automatic changeover dispensing system consists of a bodymember H having an adjusting knob l2 andan indicator window ii. The lower portion of body II is connected by conduits II and" to liquid gas containing cylinders. The number of liquid gas containing cylinders is two or more, the present liquid But the number of conduits may be increased along with the number of cylinders without involving invention.

Conduit l4 ends in a connection nipple l5 which is adapted to screw into a liquid gas container and be automatically connected thereto. A back flow check valve ll of the usual type is adapted to automatically be mechanically forced open by the final portion of the process of connecting onto the cylinder.

length of the device. Intermediate the ends of the piston an annular groove 41 is cut all the way around the piston to provide a groove similar to those for piston rings. No piston ring is used as the groove is for an entirely different purpose to be explained later.

The lower end of piston 42 is provided with a cam face 49. Various forms of cam faces may be employed but in the embodiment shown in the Whenever there is no cylinder on nipple l8, check valve prevents the escape of gas.

Conduit l5 has a similar nipple l3 containing a similar back pressure check valve I9, and if there were more supply conduits each of them would be similarly equipped.

An outlet conduit 2| is provided at the lower end of body II and if desired a base 22 may be provided at this point to support the device against the building or stand.

The outlet conduit 2| continues below the stand in a continuation 23' and leads into a so-called final stage regulator 24 which is provided with an integral safety pressure relief valve 25. From the regulator the gas passes under carefully regulated pressure through dispensing conduit 25 v which may be provided with the usual connection nipple 21 or any other form of connection device.

The interior of body II is best shown in F ures 2 and 3.

In Figure 2 the body II is seen to be formed in two parts II and 29 secured together by a retainer ring 3|. Retainer ring 3| acts to clamp a flexible diaphragm 32 between the body portions II and 29 in an airtight manner. Flexible diaphragm 32 is made of any highly flexible substantially gas proof material such as rubberized cotton fabric.

In the lower portion 29 there is provided a centrally located outlet passage 33 which connects with outlet conduit 2|. The cavity in the upper portion of lower part 29 forms one wall of a chamber in the body and the, flexible diaphragm forms another wall of this chamber. Outlet 33 leads to the chamber. member 29 and in these inlets are inserted special tire valves 31. Valves 31 are the ordinary Dill type valves and have a spring normally keeping valve head 38 in closed position. As usual with such valves they have projecting rod'39, 49 for forcing the valve open against the force of the spring. Valves 3'! have special oversize "Neoprene seats.

As inlets 34 and 36 may supply gas through valves 31 when flushing conditions are correct 'and as passage 33 carries this gas away from chamber 4|, it is obvious that the gas pressure in chamber 4| varies and being in excess of atmospheric pressure generally tends to force diaphragm 32 upwardly.

Resisting the upward movement of diaphragm 32 is a piston 42 shown in Figures 2, 3, '7 and 8.

The piston 42 fits loosely in and may reciprocate up and down in cylinder 43 in body H.

Spring 44 is disposed so as to force the piston 42 down against diaphragm 32 and the gas pressure in chamber 4|. The construction of piston 42 includes a non-circular (shown as square) central opening 45 and an annular spring receiving opening 46. The spring receiving opening 48 may be dispensed with without invention but is preferred because it tends to reduce the all-over Inlets 34 and 36 are provided in drawing the cam face consists merely of cutting the end of the piston oil at an angle so that the portion near point 49 will be in advance of all the other points of the cam face and that near point 5| will be further up as the piston moves down on the diaphragm.

As the rubberized fabric of the diaphragm has a tendency to stick to metal parts with which it is long in contact it is desirable to reduce the friction between the cam face 48 of the piston and the diaphragm 32. However, this is not essential to the operation inmy invention but certainly is preferable. I may accomplish this reduction of friction by several means and asshown in Figure 2 and Figure 8, I may employ a circular metal disc 52 having a dimple 53 pressed in its center. The dimple 53 fits in a central depression 54 provided in the center of the cam face. The cam face may also be relieved by an annular groove 55 surrounding the depression 54 to reduce the friction area and allow a pocket for. accumulation of any foreign matter working its way into the device. The cam face of piston 42 may be of other shapes, however, and still practice some of the features of my invention although it is preferable to employ antifriction means at this point.

In Figure 9 I have shown how plate 52 may be provided with ball bearings 59, the ball bearings being retained preferably by a retainer 51 which may be centered by the dimple 53. The ball bearings may roll in grooves 55 which may be made to fit the balls and have a guiding effect thereon.

In order to position the low side 49 and the high side 5| of piston 42 over the valves 31 so that the proper valve stem 39 or 49 will be selectively and preferentially contacted first, a manually operated knob 58 is provided. Knob 58 has an overhanging portion 59 which acts as an umbrella to prevent moisture or dust from entering the device through the opening in the top of II. On the. top of knob 58 is provided a raised arrow 6| and the device is constructed and arranged so that arrow 6| always points toward the cylinder which is being preferentially and selectively biased to supply the gas to the system, the other cylinders being on reserve and not being used until the cylinder on supply is exhausted.

Knob 58 is provided witha roughened portion 63 to enable a grip to be taken thereon with the fingers and an internal fin 64 by which the,

rotation of the knob is limited. Fin 64 could be eliminated without changing the function of the device but is placed in the device because the customers like to have the control come to a definite stop as they turn it as they feel that when the knob is turned until it stops suddenly and hard that they have made the proper adjustment whereas if the knob can rotate continuously they may become confused.

Knob 58 is provided with a central shaft and in the cylindrical upper portion of this shaft a groove 59 is provided to receive a lock ring 61 shown in Figure 3. The lower portion some 68 of the shaft is square and is preferably provided with a sharpened point 69' to aid in the assembly of the device. Sharpened point 93 may be dispensed with however, as not involved in the invention.

In order to indicate the position of piston 4-2 an indicator lever '1| is provided having a portion preferably painted red at 12 which will be visible when desired through window 3. Indicator 1| is pivoted to the body at 13 and has an arm 14 extending into the groove 41 to be moved up and down as piston 42 reciprocates but as groove 41 is at the same level all around rotation of piston 42 by knob 58 will not vary the position of the indi-- cator 12. Parts 41, 14, 13 and I2 are proportioned and arranged so that indicator. 12 will not only one of the valves 31 is open, but so that in: dicator 12 will be visible in window |3 whentw'o or more (if there are more) of the valves 31 are open. The upper end of spring 44 is retained by an annular L-shaped spring retainer 16 and the spring retainer is held in place by the split ring 61. e

Operation As shown in Figure 1 the operation'of the device is as follows: 1

Nipples l6 and 3 are screwed into liquidv gas containing cylinders (not shown) and nipple 21 is connected to the dispensing Y conduit. (not shown) which forms a continuation of dispensing conduit 26. That portion of the dispensing conduit leads to the stoves or other appliances. using the gas. The gas passing to the stove or other appliance is regulated closely as to pressure by pressure regulator 24, although pressu'reregulater 24 may be dispensed with in some instances. If desired, a safety valve 25 may be provided to release excess pressure if the other parts of the device fail to function properly. Normally safety valve 25 never operates.

The gas from the containers passes'through supply conduits l4 and I5, although, of course, more supply conduits may be provided. Each supply conduit ends in an inlet such as 34 and 36 of Figure 2 and in this inlet are located valves 31. When first connected piston 42 is in its lower-most position and gas rushes through all of the supply conduits into chamber 4|.

of the stove or other appliance the pressure rises in chamber 4| forcing diaphragm 32 and piston 42 upwardly and compressing spring 44. Soon diaphragm 32 is high enough so that the valves 31 on the less advanced side of the piston are no longer engaged by diaphragm 32 and the valve rods such as 39 no longer contact diaphragm 32 and therespective valves close and remain closed until the cylinder which is on supply and whose As the flow through outlet 33 is limited by the demand appear in window |3 when none of thevalves or enough in the cylinder connected to inlet 34 the piston moves down and opens as many additional valves as necessary to maintain the flow through .33. If this is a temporary thing the piston will again move upwardly until only one valve rod 40 opens the supply cylinder valve.

With two valves 31 low side 49 is directly under the point of arrow 6|, but if four equally spaced valves 31 are used (not shown) the low side would preferably be spaced 22 /2 degrees away from the arrow point so that the four valves would open serially and avoid having two' open at thesame instant.

Obviously, pipes I4 and/or l5 can be manifolds leading to several tanks by a plurality of nipples like It and I8 so that each valve 31 by controlling a pipe such as 5 can control a bank of cylinders.

When the supply cylinder becomes exhausted, piston 42 moves downward and opens at least another valve placing another cylinder on supply. At this time the red warning signal 12 appears in window I3 and the consumer knows that his cylinder on supply is exhausted. He goes to market and secures another full cylinder which he places in place of the exhausted cylinder. He

, knows which cylinder is exhausted because arrow 6| points toward the exhausted cylinder. He could continue with the knob in the same position but as it is not known exactly how much gas re 'mains in the reserve cylinder or cylinders he is advised to turn knob 58 so that the arrow points at one of the former reserve cylinders. Due to non-circular shaft 68 which is splined to piston 42-this turning of the knob rotates the low side 43 of piston 42 over the cylinder formerly reserved which now is placed on supply.

as the pressure in chamber 4| falls and first reopens the valve on the low side 49.

Normally this one cylinder as shown in Figure 2 supplies gas as long as any remains in the cylinder and valve rod 40 is the only valve. rod

that is depressed. If the gas being drawn through 33 is taken at such a .volume for a temporary period or if the liquefied gas fails to vaporize fast The operation of the device may be repeated as many times as desired, the only manual operations being those required in attaching new cylinders and turning the knob 58. Automatic change-over is provided and there is a clearindication of which cylinder is being used and a clear indication of whether more than one cylinder is being used. The latter indication when it continues over a substantial period of time indicates positively that the cylinder on supply has become exhausted and needs replenishing.

The assembly of the device'shown in Figures 2 and 3 is easily accomplished. Knob 58 is inserted through the hole in the top of body H and spring retainer 16 is threaded over shaft 65. Then a spring 61 is threaded over shaft 65 and snaps into place in its seat 66. Spring 44 is placed in annular spring receiving groove 46 of piston 42' and raised into place in body II as shown and arm 1| is inserted through the opening in extension 11. When arm 1| is positioned pivot 13 is inserted. Then window I3 is placed in position and a split retaining ring 18 holds the window |3 in place.

Valves 31 having been installed in part 29 diaphragm 32 is placed on part 29 and raised into position and retaining ring 3| is screwed into place.

, It is obvious that all the objects of the invention are carried out by the embodiment shown in the drawings and that a simple, fool-proof, automatic, reliable changeover regulator and indicator has been provided. The parts are few and easy to understand and operate, entry of water or foreign matter into the device is prevented and the oper- From the foregoing, it is believed that the construction, operation and advantages of the apf 7 paratus of my instant invention will be readily comprehended by persons skilled in the art. It is to be clearly understood however, that various changes in the apparatus herewith shown and described may be resorted to without departing flexible diaphragm forming at least a portion of one wall of the chamber, a valve in each inlet controlling the flow of gas through said respective inlet, said valves each comprising a valve operating means disposed to be contacted by said diaphragm upon failure of the pressure of the gas in said chamber, cam means rotatable in and longitudinally movable in said body disposed to contact said diaphragm on the opposite side thereof from said chamber, said cam means comprising a main cam member and a friction reducing plate contacting the diaphragm and rotatably disposed relative to the cam member, spring means urging said cam means and diaphragm against the pressure of the gas in said chamber into contact with only such of said valve operating means to open only such of said valves as the gas pressure in said chamber permits, said cam means being formed to dispose said diaphragm to contact one of said valve operating means first to open its respective valve first, means to selectively dispose said cam means to thus open a selected one of said valves first, and indicator means operated by the cam means in its movement with the diaphragm to indicate when more than one of said valves is open.

2. An automatic changeover regulator comprising a body having a chamber for gas under pressure, said chamber having at least two inlets and at least one outlet for gas, a flexible diaphragm forming at least a portion of one wall of the chamber, a valve in each inlet controlling the flow of gas through said respective inlet, said valves each comprising a valve operating means disposed to be contacted by said diaphragm upon failure of the pressure of the gas insaid chamber, cam means rotatable in and longitudinally movable in said body disposed to contact said diaphragm on the opposite side thereof from said chamber, said cam means comprising a main cam member and a friction reducing plate contacting the diaphragm and rotatably disposed relative to the cam member, spring means urging said cam means and diaphragm against the pressure of the gas in said chamber into contact with only' such of said valve operating means to open only such of said valves as the gas pressure in two inlets and at least one outlet for gas, 9. flexible diaphragm forming at least a portion of one wall of the chamber, a valve in each inlet controlling the flow of gas through said respective inlet, said valves each comprising a valve operating means disposed to be contacted by said diaphragm upon failure of the pressure of the gas in said chamber, cam means rotatable in and longitudinally movable in said to contact said diaphragm on the opposite side thereof from said chamber, spring means urging said cam means and diaphragm against the pressure of the gas in said chamber into contact with only such of said valve operating means to open only such of said valves as the gas pressure in said chamber permits, said cam means, being formed to dispose said diaphragm to contact one of said valve operating means first to open its respective valve first, means to selectively dispose said cam means to thus open a selected one of said valves first, and indicator means operated by the cam means in its movement with the diaphragm to indicate when more than one of said valves is open.

4. An automatic changeover regulator and indicator comprising a body having a chamber for gas under pressure, said chamber having at least two inlets and at least one outlet for gas, a flexible diaphragm forming at least a portion of one wall of the chamber, a valve in each inlet controlling the flow of gas through said respective inlet, said valves each comprising a valve operating means disposed to be contacted by said diaphragm upon failure of the pressure of the gas in said chamber, cam means rotatable in and longitudinally movable in said body disposed to contact said diaphragm on the opposite side thereof from said chamber, said cam means comprising a main cam member and a friction reducing plate contacting the diaphragm and rotatably disposed relative to the cam member, spring means urging said cam means and diaphragm against the pressure of the gas in said chamber into contact with only such of said valve operating means to open only such of said valves as the gas pressure in said chamber permits, said cam means being formed to dispose said diaphragm to contact one of said valve operating means first to open its respective valve first, and indicator means operated by the cam means in its movement with the diaphragm to indicate when more than one of said valves is open.

5. An automatic changeover regulator and in dicator comprising a body having a chamber for gas under pressure, said chamber having at least two inlets and at least one outlet for gas, a flexible diaphragm forming at least a portion of one 55 wall of the chamber, a valve in each inlet conon said chamber, cam means rotatable in and longisaid chamber permits, said cam means being formed to dispose said diaphragm to contact one tudinally movable in said body disposed to contact said diaphragm on the opposite side thereof from said chamber, spring means urging said cam means and diaphragm against the pressure of the gas in said chamber into contact with only such of said valve operating means to open only such of said valves as the gas pressure in said chamber permits, said cam means being formed to dispose said diaphragm to contact one of said valve operating means first to open its respective valve first, and indicator means operated by the cam means in its movement with the diaphragm to indicate when more than one of said valves is 1? QP a 6. An automatic changeover regulator comprising a body having a chamber for gas under pressure, said chamber having at least two inlets and at least one outlet for gas, a flexible diaphragm means rotatable in and longitudinally movable in said body and disposed to contact said diaphragm on the opposite side thereof from said chamber, spring means urging said cam means and diaphragm against the pressure of the gas in said through, each valve having an operating rod exchamber into contact with only such of said valve operating means to open only such of said valves as the gas pressure in said chamber permits, said cam means being formed to dispose said diaphragm to contact one of said valve operating means first to open its respective valve first, and means to selectively dispose said cam means to thus open a selected one of said valves first.

'7. An automatic changeover regulator comprising a body having a chamber for gas under pressure, said chamber having at least two inlets and at least one outlet for gas, a flexible diaphragm forming at least aportion of one wall of the chamber, a valve in each inlet controlling the flow of gas through said respective inlet, said valves each comprising a valve operating means disposed to be contactedby said diaphragm upon failure of the pressure of the gas in said chamber, cam means rotatable in and longitudinally movable in said body and disposed to contact said diaphragm on the opposite side thereof from said chamber, said cam means comprising a main cam member and a friction reducing plate contacting the diaphragm and rotatably disposed relative to the cam member, and spring means urging said cam means and diaphragm against the pressure of the gas in said chamber into contact with only such of said valve operating means to open only such of said valves as the gas pressure in said chamber permits, said cam means being formed to dispose said diaphragm to contact one of said valve operating means first to open its respective valve first.

8. An automatic changeover regulator comprising a body having a chamber for gas under pressure, said chamber having'at least two inlets and at least one outlet for gas, a flexible diaphragm tending to a point adjacent said diaphragm, a piston having a cam face engaging the diaphragm and mounted for rotationand reciprocation in the body, spring means urging the piston against the diaphragm, a turning knob splined to the piston for rotating the cam face whereby upon failure of gas pressure in said chamber said piston and diaphragm will move and engage and open a least two valves in selected order, an annular groove in the piston, an indicator pivoted in the body having one end engaged in the groove during all movements of said piston, an inspection win-,

dow, the other end of said indicator being visible through said window in at least one position whereby the indicator willindicate through the window when more than one valve is open.

10. An automatic changeover regulator and indicator comprising in combination a body having a chamber, said chamber having a plur'ality of inlets and at least one outlet, a diaphragm forming at least a portion of one wall of the chamber, each inlet having a valve controlling flow therethrough, each valve having an operating rod extending to a point adjacent said diaphragm, a piston having a camface engaging the diaphragm and mounted for rotation and reciprocation in the body, spring means urging the piston against the diaphragm, and a turning knob splined to the piston for rotating the cam face whereby upon failure of gas pressure in said chamber said piston and diaphragm will move and engage and open at least two valves in selected order.

11. Anautomatic changeover regulator comprising in combination a body having a chamber, said chamber having a plurality of inlets and at least one outlet, a diaphragm forming at least a portion of one wall of said chamber, each inlet forming at least a portion of one wall of the chamber, a valve in each inlet controlling the flow of gas through said respective inlet, said valves each comprising a valve operating means disposed to be contacted by said diaphragm upon failure of the pressure of the gas in said chamber, cam means rotatable in and longitudinally movable in said body and disposed to contact said diaphragm on the opposite side thereof from said chamber, and spring means urging said cam means and diaphragm against the pressure of the gas in said chamber into contact with only such of said valve operating means to open only such of said valves as the gas pressure in said chamber permits, said cam means being formed to dispose said dia phragm to contact one of said valve operating means first to open its respective valve first.

9 An automatic changeover regulator and indicator comprising in combination a body having a chamber, said chamber having a plurality of inlets and at least one outlet, a diaphragm forming, at least a portion of one wall of the chamber, each inlet having a valve controlling flow therehaving a valve controlling flow therethrough, said valves being normally biased to closed position, each valve having an operating portion extending to a point adjacent said diaphragm, a piston mounted for rotation and reciprocation in said body and having a cam face biased to engage said diaphragm in said reciprocation and thereby bias at least two portions of said diaphragm, selected by the rotational position of said piston in said body, to engage said operating portions and to open at least two of said valves in a selected order upon progressive failure of gas pressure in said chamber, and means for rotating said piston to select the rotational positionof said cam face and thereby select which valve shall open first upon reciprocative movement of said piston in said body. v

12. An automatic changeover regulator comprising in combination a body having a chamber, said chamber having a plurality of inlets and at least one outlet, a diaphragm forming at least a portion of one, wall of said chamber, each inlet having a valve controlling flow therethrough, said valves being normally biased to closed position, each valve having an operating portion extending to a point adjacent said diaphragm, a piston mounted for rotation and reciprocation in said body and having a cam face biased to engage said diaphragm in said reciprocation and thereby bias at least two portions of said diaphragm, selected by the rotational position of said piston in said body, to engage said operating portions and to open at least two of said valves in a selected order upon progressive failure of gas pressure in said chamber, and

means comprising a turning knob splined to said piston for rotating said piston to select the rotational posltlon 0! said cam face and thereby select which valve shall open first upon reciproca tive movement of said piston in said body.

ANDREW R. OLSON,

REFERENCES CITED The following reterenoes are of record in the file or this patent:

1 Number 

